Wayne Rooney Suggests Mohamed Salah Should Be Dropped by Liverpool Manager Arne Slot

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suggested that Liverpool manager Arne Slot should contemplate dropping star player Mohamed Salah, particularly after a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Salah, who has netted five goals this season, has yet to contribute a goal or an assist in recent matches.

In his latest podcast episode, Rooney stated, “If I were Slot, I would make a significant decision that could impact the entire team. Salah is not contributing defensively. If you’re one of the new signings sitting on the bench and you observe him not putting in the effort, what message does that send to you?”

Salah, at 33 years old, made Premier League history last season by finishing with the highest goals and assists while also winning the player of the season award. His remarkable performance coincided with a successful first season under Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp and led Liverpool to the title.

However, following a challenging summer transfer window, which included signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak for a combined total of £241 million, the team has struggled, currently sitting 11th in the league with just 18 points from 12 matches.

Rooney noted, “They’re currently facing a tough time, aren’t they? You have to consider the impact of what happened to Jota and how it affects the players, as he is their teammate. That undoubtedly has an effect. Nonetheless, there is no excuse for a lack of fighting spirit or tackling.”

Following the loss, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized that “everyone in the team must take responsibility” as Slot’s team has managed only one win in their last seven league matches. Rooney remarked on the increasing scrutiny surrounding Slot, suggesting that the shadow of his predecessor, Klopp, is starting to overshadow him.

“Slot has a considerable task ahead to get the team playing effectively and winning again,” Rooney asserted. He added, “When a manager experiences a poor run like this, Klopp’s name tends to resurface frequently. It’s akin to the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson; when David Moyes and Louis van Gaal came in at Manchester United, Ferguson’s name was always mentioned. Similarly, with Slot, people keep comparing him to Klopp, saying, ‘He’s not Jurgen Klopp, he’s not as good.’ However, I believe Liverpool fans need to move past that and offer their support to him.”

For more insights, tune into the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel or listen on BBC Sounds.